2025 Celebration of Excellence Awards

The annual Faculty and Staff Celebration of Excellence Awards were held Friday morning, April 18, in Russell Auditorium. Congratulations to all the award winners!

Faculty Awards

Presented by Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Holley Roberts

• Excellence in Teaching Award: Laurie Peebles
• Excellence in Online Teaching Award: Suzanna Roman-Oliver
• Excellence in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award: Andrew Allen
• Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Endeavors: Peter Selgin
• Craig M. Turner Excellence in University Service Award: Jennifer Flory
• Laurie Hendrickson McMillan Faculty Award: Xiaomeng Lu

Staff Awards

Presented by Staff Council Chair Ms. Nancy Finney

• Bobcat Partner Award: Theile Kaolin
• Individual Service Excellence: Brady Bennett
• Team Service Award: Department of Public Safety
• Outstanding Leadership: Gary Purvis
• Eve Puckett Community Service: Ruth Eilers
• Bobcat Spirit: Monica Starley 

University Advancement Awards

Presented by Vice President for University Advancement Seth Walker

• Max Crook Volunteer Service: Kathy Kurtz
• Hemphill-Sallstrom Faculty-Staff Honors: Artis Williamson and Lucretia Coleman

Thunder Award

Presented by President Cathy Cox to graduate students Amber Stubbs and Jack Powers, for their heroic efforts in taking life-saving measures during a field emergency that threatened the life of their professor, Dr. Dominic DeSantis, assistant professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences.